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Home , Chuck Leavell, Glenn Frey, Oteil Burbridge

Corey's (Top 10) 2020 Concerts

Traditionally I attend only a few shows in the beginning of each year. With the onset of Covid effectively shutting down performances in March, that pretty much made it impossible to see enough live events to make a list this year. Most of the shows I planned to see this year (2020) got canceled or deferred (sometimes more than once). If things go well rescheduled Dave Mason and Richie Furay (a farewell show) concerts go off in May, then a host of summer outdoor amphitheater concerts are set at Jones Beach in July and August: Jackson Brown and , Rod Stewart and Cheap Trick, Doobie Bros. 50th Anniversary, and Squeeze opening for Hall & Oates. As a result this tenth installment in this “series” only can comment on a handful of shows. Thus “Top 10” in parentheses in this year’s title.

This year either my wife or daughter, or in one case both, attended each of the shows I that made this year’s top ten; in the case of one band, my wife joined me at a show this past summer and my daughter joined me at a fall performance. Several shows included multiple artists who do headline their own shows; that gave a sense of multiple concerts where I “credit” just one show. 2019 presented tough choices in terms of ranking shows; just so many superb performances that made ranking/ rating them in order just so close.

1) It is hard not to leave an concert without feeling a bargain no matter how pricey a ticket. The band inspired by played in its entirety for its first set and followed with a set of Eagles, James Gang, classics and solo hits. Despite the passing of , the band played tight; Glenn son, Deacon, and took the late founder’s leads. When I can share such an incredible show for a band that first achieved greatness during my youth with one of my children, it just adds to the experience; my daughter Marisa joined me at for this show. Date: February 18.

2) I almost did not make this one. I kept watching for availability and picked up a ticket the Sunday eve before; and I remain glad I got to enjoy it in person. It was the last show before COVID closed everything. It was billed as “The Brothers” and celebrated 50th Anniversary; it featured , , , and Marc Quiñones. Duane (son of Butch) Trucks joined on drums, and Reese Wynans on keyboards and vocals. was a special guest. There is a lot of video. Date: March 10. Venue: Madison Square Garden. 3 & 4) I got to enjoy two virtual shows put on by Richie Furay in August and October. They were billed at Back Porch Session (though the 2nd show was in front of the home.). An interest component included virtual guests sitting in. At the August session, Jock Bartley of FireFall played lead on For What Its Worth and current Poco bassist sang background vocals when Richie daughter Jessie covered Jack’s Hard Country. For the October show, Doobie Bros. John McFee contributed Pedal Steel on Pickin’ Up The Pieces, lead on Fallin’ In Love, dobro on A Child’s Claim to Fame and lead on For What It’s Worth (Current Doobie’s bassist John Cowan also contributed backing vocals). Original Poco and Eagles bassist Randy Meissner contributed backing vocals on For What It’s Worth in August and Pickin’ Up The Pieces (October). I remain real hopeful that Richie’s May farewell concert at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) can go on as planned. Dates: August 27 and October 30.

5) My friend and (Hofstra) law school classmate Curt Arnel leads and plays drums in Off the Record which several times took honors at Gotham’s Battle of the Bands® (another 2020 event that got deferred.). Curt’s crew have a knack for arranging danceable covers by other artists. The outdoor show featured excellent versions of Marvin Gave’s What’s Goin’ On, Eagles , Traffic’s Feeling Alright (more famous as a Joe Cocker cover), and my 2nd fave Derek and the Dominos tune, Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad. Date: September 12. Venue: Big Daddy’s, Massapequa.

So I just tried to fill the void with new playlists that I created (Songs for the Road and Trains Tunes) and watching live show on YouTube. Public Television and Cable.

I truly hope to enjoy much more than a handful of live shows in 2021 and report and review accordingly!